Daily Archives: September 29, 2009

Actress Jessica Biel, a frequent visitor to Las Vegas, is apparently moving up in the world. The 27-year-old star has signed on to climb Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, in January to raise awareness for the need for clean water worldwide.

She will be joined by singer Lupe Fiasco and actress Isabel Lucas, who will be going on the “Summit on the Summit” expedition, which is the brainchild of Biel’s friend, singer Kenna, whose father suffered from waterborne diseases in Ethiopia as a child.

“This is a basic human necessity that needs to be addressed now,” Biel said in a statement about her decision to climb the more than 19,000 feet to the mountain’s peak.

According to the Associated Press, more celebrity climbers will be announced in the next few months.

The climb will also raise funds for the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and PlayPumps International.

The federal government has wanted to unload the Crazy Horse Too strip club in Las Vegas ever since the U.S. Marshals Service assumed ownership of it in 2007 as part of a plea agreement with its former owner, felon Rick Rizzolo.

After two years and at least one failed attempt, the marshals finally have an agreement in place, largely confidential, with a new potential buyer, Mayor Oscar Goodman and several attorneys close to the case confirmed late last week.

Pete Rinato, a local attorney for the prospective buyer, said the buyer signed a contract with the Marshals Service about three weeks ago. He declined to name his client, who he said is a “non-local,” but added that his name would be released soon.

In a larger sense, an alliance of sorts has been formed, said several attorneys knowledgeable about the deal, a kind of “strange bedfellows” pact in which many of the normally adversarial parties are now allied because they’re eager for the sale to go through.

Those parties include the prospective buyer, the federal government, Rizzolo and the man who successfully sued the now-shuttered club after his neck was broken there. This alliance doesn’t yet include the city, though it might before all is said and done.

The agreement hinges on the owner of a Russell Road strip club, calling itself the Crazy Horse 3, giving up that name so future owners of the Crazy Horse Too, on Industrial Road, can retain sole rights to the name.

The pact is also relying on the city to grant a liquor license and exotic dance permit to the club’s buyer, so the value of the club can be boosted. Without a liquor license, the club is valued at about $5 million — chump change compared to what it would be with the proper licenses. As of 15 months ago, with the licenses, the club was valued at $32 million.

Rinato said a lawsuit will soon be filed against the owners of the Crazy Horse 3, demanding that they give up that name.

After serving roughly 10 months in federal prison for tax evasion, Rizzolo was released in early 2008. As part of his guilty plea, Rizzolo was allowed to use proceeds from the sale of the gentleman’s club to satisfy tens of millions of dollars in debts he owes various parties.

Goodman said he didn’t know who the potential buyer is- and hasn’t asked.

Others who do know, include federal officials, but they aren’t talking.

Federal agents seized the Crazy Horse Too in September 2007. The following June, Pro criticized the marshals for not applying for a city liquor license and simply taking over the club.

At the time, the marshals said they didn’t want to run a strip club. Three months later they changed their tune, recognizing that they needed the licenses to get a higher sale price.

Jared Fogle, the man who more than 10 years ago lost over 245 pounds by eating two SUBWAY sandwiches a day, will be at the White Middle School in Las Vegas this Wednesday, September 30, 2009 from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. to speak to students, teachers and faculty about the need to eat healthy and stay fit.

White Middle School hosts 1,300 children in grades 6, 7 and 8 and is an active participant in the Vegas PBS Keeping Kids Fit program. Jared’s story resonates with children and provides a real life incentive for kids to stay healthy and fit.

On the heels of a national study on obesity released earlier this summer, Jared has been speaking at venues across the country about the importance of making healthy food choices. With our country’s health care crisis at an all time high and health care related costs due to obesity in the billions. Jared, who has been a long-time advocate for children, believes that by investing in prevention through education it can make a significant impact.

Vegas PBS Keeping Kids Fit was started two years ago and has been recognized for program excellence both nationally and locally. Keeping Kids Fit incorporates diverse forms of technology along with hands on instruction to promote wellness. The program targets children and families who are statistically at a higher risk for childhood obesity.

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